Journal of internal medicine
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Demographers have studied the Japanese mortality pattern since Japan became the most longevous population worldwide, half a century ago. Nutrition and lifestyle were considered by epidemiologists, gerontologists and other scientists as the most important reasons explaining the Japanese superiority. In Okinawa, the mortality pattern is even more exceptional, but few demographers have pointed out this exception. ⋯ The older generations clearly experience a highly favourable mortality pattern, whereas the younger generations show mortality levels that are definitively higher compared to mainland Japan. This contribution considers which factors may explain such a situation, including the plausible invalidation of the age of some oldest in the population. We plea for in-depth demographic age validation that will enhance all scientific findings so far and boost the exceptional longevity in Okinawa.